About the artwork
Gunawan explores the relationship between man and animal often in his work, and in this sculpture presents that of a woman and her steed. Her serene and comfortable posture against the back of the creature suggests the amiable trust and friendship between them, whilst the congruence in their soft and rounded forms create a pleasing visual synonymy, exemplifying peace and companionship.
About the artist
Born in Yogyakarta in 1974, Adi Gunawan received his education at the Institut Seni Indonesia. He is a prominent Indonesian sculptor known for his distinctive and often playful and satirical bronze sculptures. In his symbolic sculptures, Adi invokes exploration of themes related to human behavior, social issues, and cultural traditions. He uses his cultural positioning as a tool to visualize motions, gestures, characters and expressions of various subjects that he sculpts. He often incorporates elements of Indonesian folklore and everyday life, giving his pieces a rich cultural context. Growing up in an Agrarian society, he depicts a lot of animals in his work. The symbiotic and mystical relationship between animals and humans is well expressed in his artworks.